Global Unity Among Nations

While addressing the European Parliament in Brussels, His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad ^{(may Allah be his helper)}, the fifth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, noted that the requirements for peace and global unity are interconnected. Global unity begins with peace at home, as the state of each home affects the surrounding neighborhood. This environment then cascades to the town, the country, and, eventually, between countries.

As immigration sits amongst those issues affecting every home, His Holiness noted that immigrants, “must enter with a willingness to integrate with the local people,” while locals must be, “ready to open their hearts and display tolerance.” He argued that a lack of integration breeds resentment, leading to policies that strain international relations. His Holiness further noted that as the inability to provide for oneself and one’s family is a major cause for immigration, establishing peace in war-torn countries is paramount. Simultaneously, immigrants should become productive members of society, and not become a tax burden to their hosts.

Sourcing a saying of Prophet Muhammad ^{(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)}, “A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe” (Nasa’i), His Holiness called for policies that promote mutual respect and outlaw hurting each other’s sentiments. This attitude can also preserve the European Union and foster a global cohesion on currency, trade, and standards of immigration.

Individuals must also rid themselves of any sense of ethnic, religious or racial arrogance. Echoing the teachings of the Holy Qur’an (49:14), in his Farewell Address, Prophet Muhammad ^{(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)} reminded mankind that, “An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white – except by piety.”

Were individuals to follow this advice, it would be easier to notice that the growing immigration debate is a result of the global financial crisis – not a clash in belief systems. His Holiness noted that prior to the 2008 recession and credit crunch, immigration was a non-issue. But now, even relationships between Western countries are being affected.

His Holiness acknowledged that a skeptic may ask that if Islam’s teachings can foster global unity, why is the Muslim world wracked with division and disorder? Indeed, if Muslim countries were united, they would not need to constantly seek foreign aid. His Holiness remarked that the state of the Muslim world indicates the need for a divine reformer, whom Ahmadi Muslims believe to be Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the Promised Messiah. On another occasion, His Holiness cited the governance of Prophet Muhammad ^{(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)} as ruler of Medina to validate the potency of Islam in establishing unity. Prophet Muhammad ^{(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)} and many of the Muslims were themselves immigrants to Medina; following the migration, Medina’s inhabitants unanimously appointed Prophet Muhammad ^{(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)} as their ruler. His Holiness noted that under an impartial jury, Muslims and non-Muslims enjoyed equal treatment under the law and religious liberty. If a Jewish tribe of Medina was attacked, Muslims were duty-bound to defend them, and vice-versa.

His Holiness concluded by urging mankind to make these changes and foster unity at every level: “If we fail in this task, then no part of the world will remain safe from the horrifying and destructive effects of war.”